The event takes place in May or June of every year and the organisation claims that the warm weather and unique forest stages draw competitors from around the world.

The first day involved competitors travelling from their chosen starting point before all rendezvousing in Scotland later in the event and finally ending in Edinburgh.

[3] Unlike in modern rallies where the object is to complete the course in as short a time as possible, competitors were set an average speed that they were expected to maintain on each stage.

Points were awarded for meeting this target, the condition of the car at the end of the stage, and even for the number of occupants of each vehicle.

[8] Notable winners of the Scottish Rally include Roger Clark, Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist, Ari Vatanen, Tony Pond, Malcolm Wilson, Richard Burns and Colin McRae.